May 2019 Consumer Price Index

Historical release narrative reproduced from the official public-domain source. Statistical tables, standard technical appendices, administrative material and attendance rosters are omitted; formatting is adapted for reading. Figures retain the release's historical context and may have been revised. Consult the linked source for the complete document.

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.1 percent in May on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.3 percent in April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.8 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The food index rose 0.3 percent in May after declining in April, with the food index accounting for nearly half of the May seasonally adjusted all items monthly increase. The energy index fell 0.6 percent in May, with the gasoline index falling 0.5 percent and the indexes for electricity and natural gas also declining in May.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.1 percent for the fourth consecutive month. The indexes for shelter, medical care, airline fares, education, household furnishings and operations, and new vehicles all rose in May. The indexes for used cars and trucks, recreation, and motor vehicle insurance were among those that declined over the month.

The all items index increased 1.8 percent for the 12 months ending May. The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.0 percent over the last 12 months, and the food index also rose 2.0 percent. The energy index decreased 0.5 percent over the past year.

Seasonally adjusted changes from preceding month Un- adjusted Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May 12-mos. 2018 2018 2019 2019 2019 2019 2019 ended May 2019

Food

The food index increased 0.3 percent in May after falling 0.1 percent in April. The index for food at home, which fell 0.5 percent in April, also rose 0.3 percent in May. The index for nonalcoholic beverages rose 1.2 percent over the month of May, while the index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs increased 0.8 percent. The index for dairy and related products increased 0.7 percent in May, and the index for cereals and bakery products rose 0.4 percent over the same period.

The index for fruits and vegetables declined for the second consecutive month, falling 0.8 percent in May. The index for other food at home was unchanged over the month.

The index for food away from home rose 0.2 percent in May. Both the index for full service meals, and the index for limited service meals also increased 0.2 percent.

The food index rose 2.0 percent over the past year, with the food at home index increasing 1.2 percent. All six major grocery store group indexes increased over the past 12 months, with the indexes for nonalcoholic beverages and for cereals and bakery products increasing the most, rising 2.9 percent and 2.2 percent, respectively. The index for food away from home rose 2.9 percent over the past year.

Energy

The energy index fell 0.6 percent in May. The gasoline index declined 0.5 percent in May following a 5.7-percent increase in April. (Before seasonal adjustment, gasoline prices rose 2.4 percent in May.) The index for natural gas fell 1.0 percent in May, its fifth consecutive monthly decline. The electricity index also fell, decreasing 0.8 percent in May.

The energy index decreased 0.5 percent over the past 12 months, with all of its major component indexes declining. The gasoline index decreased 0.2 percent over the past year. The index for natural gas declined 2.6 percent and the index for electricity fell 0.2 percent over the 12-month period.

All items less food and energy

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.1 percent in May. The shelter index rose 0.2 percent in May after rising 0.4 percent in each of the preceding 2 months. The index for owners’ equivalent rent rose 0.3 percent, while the index for rent increased 0.2 percent over the month. The index for lodging away from home fell 0.1 percent in May, breaking a string of 5 consecutive monthly increases.

The medical care index rose 0.3 percent in May, the same increase as in April and March. The index for prescription drugs fell 0.2 percent, but the index for hospital services rose 0.5 percent and the index for physicians’ services advanced 0.1 percent. The personal care index increased 0.3 percent in May, while the index for education rose 0.2 percent. The indexes for airline fares, for household furnishings and operations, and for new vehicles also increased over the month. The index for apparel was unchanged in May following 2 monthly declines.

The index for used cars and trucks fell 1.4 percent in May, its fourth consecutive monthly decrease. The index for motor vehicle insurance declined 0.4 percent in May, the largest monthly decrease in that index since May 2007. The index for recreation decreased 0.3 percent for the month.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 2.0 percent over the past 12 months. The 12-month change has remained in the range of 1.6 percent to 2.4 percent since June 2011. The shelter index rose 3.3 percent over the year, with the rent index rising 3.7 percent. The medical care index increased 2.1 percent over the past 12 months.

Not seasonally adjusted CPI measures

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 1.8 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 256.092 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) increased 1.7 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 249.871 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index increased 0.2 percent prior to seasonal adjustment.

The Chained Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (C-CPI-U) increased 1.7 percent over the last 12 months. For the month, the index increased 0.2 percent on a not seasonally adjusted basis. Please note that the indexes for the past 10 to 12 months are subject to revision.